Drug Courts
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Drug Courts: Overview
Drug courts emerged in the late 1980’s and were created in order to treat individuals with substance abuse problems without having to serve a jail sentence.1 In this process the judiciary system and the social service help victims who have been charged for minuscule crimes such as possession of a controlled substance or being under the influence. This gives the accused the option to partake in long term treatment programs with frequent court monitoring instead of going to jail.1 While taking part in such programs, patients will undergo “substance abuse and mental health treatment, case management, drug testing, and probation supervision.”2 After this intense series, they will also be provided with services to get their social and economical life back on track by taking part in family/group counseling, job training skills, and other life enhancement assistance.2
Advantages
Many say that the drug court system greatly improves the nation in our fight against controlled substances.2 The main points that have been proven in studies are that they decrease criminal recidivism, save money, increase retention in treatment, and provide affordable treatment.3 National research has shown that within one year of a patients release from the program, “only 16.4 percent have been rearrested.”3 This shows the knowledge and lesson learned by the convicted to start their life over a different way. Another advantage to the installation of drug courts across America is the cost benefit. According to Center for Court Innovation’s study of New York State drug courts, $254 million in costs were saved by institutionalizing over 18,000 non-violent offenders into such programs.3 California as well has shown improvements in the drug court system, by putting a $14 million investment; they nearly saved $43.3 million over the course of two years.3 Before drug courts were created, the judiciary system would order a drug related offender into programs that were ineffective.4 However, with the recent uprise of drug courts, patients are required to stay in the programs and undergo close watch until visible differences are noticed. Studies have been recorded that over two thirds of the people complete it in a year or more, which is a tremendous increase from before. It’s even six times more than previous efforts.3 Lastly, drug courts offer a more affordable way to help patients, stating that treatment services range between $900 and $3,500.3
Disadvantages
While drug courts seem to be helping our society, there are still some negative aspects that come into play. Some examples include client and treatment differences, availability of resources, structural impediments, and unrealistic expectations. Race and class have been shown to make a difference whether or not one gets treatment. Typically white and middle class citizens get priority in this process.4 The availability of resources is also decreasing due to the severity of crimes and the amount of people committing them. More serious convictions tend to need more intense care, but with the rise of patients this just seems impossible.4 One of the only ways this can be solved is to create more centers and drug courts or just cutting cost and time to accommodate more people. Either way they are going to spend more government money or lower the effectiveness of the programs. Lastly, some of the expectations set by judges and the court are simply unrealistic.4 America’s drug problem can never be fixed, and some find it impractical to think that drug courts can really make a difference.
References
1. Sabrina W Tyuse, Donald M Linhorst. "Drug Courts and Mental Health Courts: Implications for Social Work. " Health & Social Work 30.3 (2005): 233-40.
2. "Drug Court Facts." National Drug Court Institute. 23 Jan. 2008 <http://www.ndci.org/courtfacts.htm>.
3. "Benefits of Drug Court." National Drug Court Institute. 23 Jan. 2008 <http://www.ndci.org/courtfacts_benefits.html>.
4. Gebelein, Richard S. "Sentencing & Corrections: Issues For The 21st Centure." U.S Department of Justice 6(May 2000): 8. 23 Jan. 2008 <http://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/181412.pdf>.
